The Shining Company

This masterful recreation of The Goddoddin, the earliest surviving North British epic poem, recounts the story of 300 men, the Companions, and their heroic, but futile, stand against the Saxons at Catraeth. Ron Keith's brilliant rendition of Prosper, shieldbearer and narrator, brings Sutcliff's compelling tale of valor, betrayal and defeat to glorious life. His unhurried pacing vividly demonstrates the sweep of historical drama making this complex story of boys, men and war accessible to a broad range of listeners. The listener is even relieved of constant referral to the pronunciation guide (many places and names are Gaelic). The audio performance provides the total immersion the literature requires and deserves. S.G. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

June 5, 1990
Set in Britain in 600 A.D., this extraordinary novel tells of the mustering of an army and its ill-fated campaign against the invading Saxons. Prosper, younger son of a feudal chieftain and the story's hero, is called to the company as a shield bearer, trained in the arts of war and sent into battle. Seen through his eyes, this is both a gripping action-adventure yarn and a moving, carefully wrought coming-of-age story. Sutcliff's richly evocative writing captures the feeling of life 1400 years ago; her realistic details provide a gritty background against which the tragic action unfolds. The Shining Company deserves a place with Adam of the Road , The White Stag and other classic adventure stories. Ages 12-up.

Prosper, the son of a Welsh chieftain, is delighted to be chosen to join the war band of King Mynyddog the Golden as a shieldbearer to Prince Gorthyn, one of the 300 warriors sent to crush the Saxon invaders in 600A.D. Sutcliff's story, narrated by Prosper, is based on THE GODODDIN, a poem written by the bard Aneirin to elegize the fallen warriors. Johanna Ward's narration is clear and precise, although the use of a female narrator for the shieldbearer makes Prosper sound very effeminate. The story will appeal to readers of historical fiction or fantasy, as the rich language and strong Welsh dialect give the story a mythic air. B.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine